Hurricane Milton leaves 2.8 million powerless in Florida
Hurricane Milton is sweeping across Florida, leaving almost 2.8 million customers without power. Photos reveal the widespread destruction, and several smaller tornadoes have been spawned by the hurricane in the state.
Hurricane Milton, which landed on Florida's western shores, has weakened from category three to category one. According to the American National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Thursday, its maximum wind speed is currently 93 mph.
"Milton officially made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida at 8:30 PM Eastern Time," reported the National Weather Service in Miami. Water levels in the Gulf of Mexico rose over 8 feet near Sarasota and waves nearly 33 feet high hit the coast.
A photo from the United States National Weather Service shows that the strongest part of the storm is now around the northeastern coast of the state, just north of Orlando.
More photos and videos are emerging online. One video from Saint Petersburg captures the moment a transformer exploded. A voice exclaims, "Oh my God!" and a blue flash is visible in the background.
Flood warning
Subsequent films and photos illustrate the extent of the devastation. Authorities caution that "in some parts of west-central Florida, there is still a flash flood threat." The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood warning for St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo in Pinellas County.
The warning affects about two million residents.
"Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," reads a statement on their website.
Another recording shows a massive crane crashing into a building.
The Tropicana Field stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, was severely damaged.
hurricane Milton: waves up to 9 feet
By early Wednesday afternoon, airlines had canceled about 1,900 flights in Florida. The SeaWorld theme park remained closed all day, while Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando were shut from the afternoon. Over 60% of Tampa and St. Petersburg gas stations ran out of fuel.
Milton drew strength from the unusually warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, twice reaching category five status with a maximum sustained wind speed close to 205 mph. In Tampa Bay, waves up to 9 feet are expected.
